Girls soccer: Deer Park near seventh straight title

NEIGHBORHOOD HIGH SCHOOL ROUNDUPLady Deer out for more success in postseason

The Deer Park girls soccer team was closing in on its seventh consecutive district championship this week after rolling Pasadena 7-0 over the weekend to move to 7-0-0 in District 22-5A.

But winning district is only one of the Lady Deer's goals, and not necessarily the most important.

"Winning district is always our first goal of the season, and to get that accomplished is always a good thing, and the girls would be happy about it, but then again we're also moving toward bigger things in the playoffs," Deer Park coach Todd McBride said.

"Doing well in the playoffs is always our ultimate goal."

McBride's deployed a number of underclassmen this year. Some started off slow but they've all come of age in district, where the Lady Deer had barely been challenged through seven matches.

They were 14-3-2 overall through 19 games.

"We definitely have our best positions right now and we're excited to see what we can do in the playoffs," McBride said.

Forwards Angela Melendez and Brooke Erdmann lead an offense that had 42 goals going into Tuesday's match with Pasadena Memorial, where they Lady Deer were looking to clinch a share of the title.

Together, they had 26 goals through 18 games, more than enough to help the team overcome the loss of scoring machine Kelli Camp, who graduated last year.

"They've really been a dual threat for us up top," McBride said. "They both hustle their butts off the entire game and they don't make it easy on the defense at all, and with that constant pressure we've been able to score lots of goals.

"We have missed a beat this year with both of them up top."

Melendez, a senior, excels with blazing speed. McBride says she's the fastest player on the team, allowing her to get to balls she shouldn't. And Erdmann, a sophomore, is still improving every day.

"(Erdmann's) a little energizer bunny up top for us," McBride said. "She doesn't quit on balls, she always hustles, she's always a factor and she always has her head up looking for the next pass.

"At the same time she has that goal-scorer's mentality, where she wants to score and she wants to score in bunches."

Junior defender Shelby Balmer leads the back line, which has held the Lady Deer's opponents scoreless in district, with help from senior goalkeeper Haley Shingleton. And Balmer can score, too.

On Saturday against Pasadena, she scored on a 50-yard free kick that bounced over the keeper's head, into the net.

"She's been fantastic this year," McBride said. "Ever since our first game until now she has been our rock in the back."

With 22-5A all but secured, McBride has begun looking at potential playoff matchups and players the Lady Deer may see, hoping to ensure his girls are as prepared as possible for the postseason.

The playoffs begin in three weeks, after spring break.

"We really have to keep the ball on the ground and spread the field," McBride said. "With our 3-5-2 we're able to really control the middle of the field pretty well.

"So if we continue doing that, and keep the ball on the field and use or skill players, especially Brooke and Angela up top — and really have them on their game - we're going to be a tough team in the playoffs."